If you’re the classic backpacker type, I’m guessing glamping isn’t quite your thing, we’re guessing glamping isn’t quite your thing. You’d rather rough it in a tent and blow most of your budget on tickets and drinking money. It’s a solid deal if it means you can go wild for a few days, jamming out to your favorite artists under the sunshine.
To help you get fully festival-ready, we’ve put together the ultimate backpacker’s guide to Europe’s music festivals in 2025.
The Best Music Festivals to Visit in 2025
Glastonbury, United Kingdom, Pilton, Somerset
Who hasn’t heard of Glastonbury before? Held in the green fields of Pilton, Somerset, it’s not just the UK’s biggest festival but also Europe’s. For five days, this tiny village in the south of England transforms into a pure musical playground with a sick lineup, especially this year, where they’ve got Carl Cox, Rod Stewart, Olivia Rodrigo, and The Prodigy playing. Some would say Glastonbury is like a bunch of festivals thrown into one; it’s a pretty fair way to describe it. One minute, you’re raving in Silver Hayes, and the next, you’re boogying on down at a fiesta at Glasto Latino.
Since Glastonbury is so big, finding your tent, particularly in the dark, can be tricky after a few beers. Bring a big flag and stick it next to your tent; at least you’ll recognize it no matter what. As for food, pack your own snacks and save the cash for when the food trucks start calling your name at 2 am.
Glastonbury dates: 25th to 29th of June, 2025
Sziget, Budapest, Hungary
What started as a small gathering on Óbudai-sziget — a leafy island right in the heart of Budapest — has grown into one of Europe’s most iconic festivals. Sziget simply rocks, and 2025 is shaping up to be its greatest one yet, with a whopping 95,000 people expected each day. You’ve got Post Malone and Chappell Roan taking to the stage and a new fan pit concept where you might even get to wave at your idols.
Be aware that Sziget is fully cashless, so leave the coins behind and bring your card or use one of the wristbands if you don’t trust yourself. They’re also adding onsite supermarkets this year, meaning you’ll be able to dodge crazy bar prices entirely.
Sziget dates: 6th to 11th of August, 2025
Tomorrowland, Boom, Belgium
Belgium’s Tomorrowland is the holy grail of all festivals. It’s the one event where electronic music lovers go absolutely berserk. I’m talking colorful fireworks and more confetti than your eyes can handle; intense is an understatement. Newbies who’ve just been introduced to the EDM scene might feel like it’s a bit much, but if you like some madness, you’ll fit right in. With 16 stages across two weekends in July and a cracking schedule featuring the likes of Martin Garrix, Nervo, Axwell, Hardwell, and Eric Prydz, it’s a once in a lifetime experience.
Even though it may be summertime, it doesn’t mean you’re totally protected from the rain, so come prepared. A light jacket or a poncho will do the trick, and comfy shoes are essential for all the walking you’ll be doing.
Tomorrowland dates: 18th to 20th and 25th to 27th of July, 2025
Rock en Seine
You may assume, judging by the name, that Rock en Seine is all guitars and drum bashing, but it’s way more diverse than that. Set in the urban parkland of the Château de Saint-Cloud on the western edge of Paris, this multi-day fest has the likes of A$AP Rocky and London Grammar penciled in for this summer. Don’t worry if you’re here for proper rock ‘n’ roll — well-known bands like Queens of the Stone Age will still be flying the flag. Despite the killer lineup and the hype around it from last year’s success, the daily crowd is capped at 40,000 visitors, which means you actually get space to breathe while dancing.
There’s no car park on-site, so anyone with a car must leave it elsewhere in the city. From there, hop on Metro Line 10, Tram T2, or one of the buses 52, 72, 126, N12, or N61, and you’ll be dropped close enough to the entrance.
Rock en Seine dates: 20th to 24th of August, 2025
Primavera Sound Barcelona, Spain
Yeah, all you festivalgoers can calm the jets knowing Primavera Sound is returning to Barcelona for 2025, and it’s already got fans across Europe and way beyond buzzing with excitement. From indie to pop, Primavera will have a little something for everyone at the seaside setting of Parc del Fòrum with big-name acts like Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX. You’ll be able to choose between full festival passes or day tickets — perfect if you’re only there for the headliners.
Because there’s no campsite at Primavera Sound, everyone ends up staying in the city, and let me tell you, the prices can be extortionate. I advise you to try staying in one of the quieter areas like Sant Andreu to save money.
Primavera Sound Barcelona dates: 4th to 8th of June, 2025
What European Festivals Are Genre-Specific?
After running you through the classic European festivals that cover every genre under the sun, let’s dive into the more niche side of things. Here are some events for people looking for something more tailored to their musical tastes.
How to Get Cheap Festival Tickets in Europe
Tickets for festivals in Europe don’t come cheap. That’s unless you know all the cheeky hacks to find the bargains. Intrigued? Here you go.
- Don’t miss the presale: When the opening date for a festival is so far off, it’s easy to say, ‘I’ll get my tickets later.’ But usually, when they’re released in presale, this is the cheapest ‘official’ price you’ll get. So don’t miss out.
- Volunteer: If you’re really strapped for cash, you could take on a volunteering gig at a festival. This often results in working a few hours a day, but you’ll get free entry and downtime to watch some of the concerts.
- Chance your arm on the day: Regardless of what type of event is on, there are always a few people outside the gates selling tickets. Some can be shady characters, but others genuinely just want to get rid of them for their own personal reasons. You’ll notice that sellers in this situation often cut their prices if they’re desperate to get rid of them. Of course, you’ll have to use your own judgment to avoid getting scammed.
- Facebook Marketplace: Don’t underestimate the power of Facebook Marketplace. People sell anything and everything on there, including festival tickets. Similar to buying on the day from a private seller, this does come with its own risks as scammers try to take advantage of desperate people. But again, go with your gut, and you might score a deal.
Which Festivals in Europe Allow Camping Onsite?
Camping at the festival grounds is a nice way to save some cash. At least you don’t want to worry about overpaying for a cab back to somewhere in the city center. Not all festivals in Europe have this option available, but these are some of the main ones that do:
- Glastonbury
- Rock en Seine
- Sziget
- Lowlands
How Do I Plan a Multi-Country Music Festival Route Across Europe?
Planning a multi-country festival route takes a bit of work, but you’ll be well-equipped as long as you follow this process:
- Select your festivals: First things first, decide which festivals you want to hit, as it will allow you to outline your route, and you can structure everything else around it.
- Put together a list of countries you want to visit: With your festivals picked, it’s time to connect the dots and build a route. Obviously, you’ll have included the countries where the festivals are held, but you might want to throw in a wild card or two since you’re in the region.
- Decide how you want to get around: Once your route’s sorted, it’s time to get nerdy with logistics. Are you bussing it? Booking budget flights? Getting an Interrail pass? or maybe even hitchhiking? Most likely, it will be a combination of them all. It’s better to keep it flexible and check every form of transportation.
- Plan out accommodation: Accommodation fills up fast during the festival season. Don’t wait around. If you’re hostel-hopping, book well in advance. Those who want to camp need to check if they need a pass or to bring their own gear.
- Secure tickets: Tickets get snapped up quickly for pretty much all the major festivals. Buy them before booking your hostel, not the other way around. You don’t want to be left disappointed with an expensive room on your hands unless you’re taking a risk and plan to haggle outside the gates on the day.
What’s the Best Way to Travel Between Festivals on a Budget?
Traveling between festivals during the season can cost a leg and an arm because everyone is doing the same thing. It’s not like all the people going are local. Nowadays, many of the attendees come from all corners of the globe, and they all need to avail of the same services as you.
Flights are the fastest way to move around Europe, but they can be expensive. However, if you stick to the classic budget airlines like Ryanair and Wizzair, you can bag some good deals, but you need to keep an eye on the airfares. Kiwi’s price alerts travel hack is excellent for this because you’ll receive a notification every time there’s a price change.
Although the long bus journeys can take it out of you, especially if you’ve had one too many the night before, they’re the most affordable type of transport. You’ll want to check websites like Flixbus, as they have the most extensive cross-border network in Europe.
Next up, we have the trains. The sweet spot between buses and planes. Provided you’re not hopping off every few hours, they’re a convenient way to get from A to B. Sure, tickets can get a bit steep, but when you book an overnight train with a sleeper cabin, that’s a handy way to skip paying for a night’s accommodation. Make sure you book early because the beds sell up fast. Worst case scenario, you’ll have to crash on a regular seat. It’s not ideal, but hey, it beats the airport floor.
Car rentals can put a fair dent into your budget when you’re renting alone, but with a group, it can be fun and easy on the wallet. Then you have the hitchhikers who throw their thumbs out and hope for the best. It does work, but you must have patience and a lot of time on your hands.
In my experience, using a mix of trains, buses, and flights is the way to go. But when you’re in a rush or just downright exhausted, you’ll be glad to have that aisle seat on the plane. Europe’s insanely well-connected these days, with multiple daily routes between most major cities. Nabbing some amazing airfares has never been easier, thanks to Kiwi.
Which Music Festival Is Calling Your Name in 2025?
That’s a little taste of what Europe’s festival scene is serving up in 2025. Some absolute mega events are on the cards this year. And with all the tips and tricks we’ve packed into this guide, you’re more than ready to hop between as many of them as possible.